Question Everything.

The Shameful, the Idiotic, Attie Awards

Sarcastic, snarky comments just don’t seem possible in this situation. I don’t know what Pat Robertson was thinking when he made these comments to his co-anchor:

“You know, Christie, something happend a long time to go to Haiti. People might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. So, they got together and swore a pack with the devil. we will serve you if you will free us from the French. True story. So the devil said ok and they kicked out the French. Since that time, they have been cursed with one thing after another. They are so poor and have undergone all these tragedies. Now, Domnican Republic, on the same island is prosperours, full of resorts.”

I swear I’m not making this up.

I’m speechless. I really am. I don’t know what to say. I keep trying to come up with ways to condemn this, but my brain is locked.

Give me a minute.

Okay, here it goes. First, Pat, I would ask that you repent of your sin of presuming to know why horrible suffering happens to people. You didn’t say this in your quote, but its obvious you assume that God is punishing the Haitian people for whatever supposed deal they made. How dare you assume to know God’s will in this instance. Here is a clue, you have no freakin idea, so shut your mouth, repent of your sin publicly and stop embarrasing God and your fellow Christians. Then, do us all a favor and get off the air.

Second, so, having resorts is a sign of God’s favor is it? Being prosperous and having a ton of money is a sign of God’s favor? So, having a place where people can wear thong bikini’s exposing their bare asses while other people on the island suffer from a horrific tragedy is how God shows His good pleasure? Do I need to comment even further?

Good, because I can’t.

Pat, as you are a Christian leader and have made a public statement in this way, you deserve this post.

St. Thomas, release the hounds, the lions, the tigers, the cephlapods, the elephants, the orangutans, the fruit bats and the three toed sloth until he learns to shut his mouth before God and the horrible suffering of other people.

Seeing as my parents have been medical missionaries in Haiti for the last eight years, I’ve had many opportunities to see the kindness and dignity of many Haitians firsthand. Ironically, the Dominican Republic next door has a long history of attempted genocide against Haitians, including the Parsley Massacre, which was against even Dominican citizens of Haitian descent. Surely God has blessed them with their prosperity! (Well, it does fit with biblical trends, I suppose.)

My parents are Methodist. I’m an atheist. I don’t know who is probably angrier at Pat Robertson tonight. To be of the faith and see him talk like this, claiming to represent your beliefs… I can’t imagine the rage I would feel if Christopher Hitchens or Carl Sagan were to say the secular equivalent of this. Of course, I can’t think of a secular equivalent, but now is not a time for quibbling, but action. First, to help the spiritually rich and beautiful people of Haiti, second, to oust the ironically Godless and spiritually ugly Pat Robertson.

The idea that slaves practicing a combination of native religions is the same as an entire country making a deal with Satan is completely ridiculous. The idea that it had a bigger impact on Haiti’s history than imperialism and a dictator like Trujillo, is awful from almost every perspective: logically, theologically, sociologically, and morally.

Dear Pat: “Do you think that because these people suffered they were worse sinners than all other people? No! But unless you repent, you will perish as they did.”
-Jesus (Luke 13)

Johann, one of my friends has no money to donate, so I suggested that he find out where a relief organization is making up a shipment for Haiti and help them physically. There may be clerical or coordinating work, too.

See, it is all just christian crap. Who are you to suppose that your god idea exists beyond your mind, while Pat’s doesn’t?

You are both doing the same, you are both stating your opinions but, you are both claiming to have a super-duper power on your side. The intent of both is to give yourselves more validity in the minds of your audience. Granted your (thomas2026) god-idea is fundamentally superior to Pat’s, not by magic but, by an obviously logical conclusion.

Seriously, there is(are) no god(s) that exist beyond your own mind. There is no long term good that can come from relying on an external force to do the things that humans need to find an equitable way to do themselves. We all need to accept the reality of our situation so that we can ALL see how wrong Pat’s position is. If there wasn’t any faith in myths we could all agree that Haiti is not being punished because, that is a clearly ridiculous concept.

As an aside, I can’t help but wonder if 2026 has some mythological significance to you? Do you have some magic brewing in a pot in the back room?

Because, among other things, there are millions of christian gods, they are all different, often in fundamental ways. If such a thing actually existed I would expect it to communicate the same message to all its disciples. Or, it is such a disgusting self absorbed thing that it surely isn’t worthy of worship.

Do you care to address the remainder of my prior comment or are you only concerned with getting me to worship your god idea?